As "watch list week" continues, two more Middle Tennessee State players have been named to a preseason watch list. And both are the featured pieces of the Blue Raiders' special team units.

Junior punter Matt Bonadies was named to the preseason watch list for the 2017 Ray Guy Award, as announced by the Augusta Sports Council on Wednesday. Also, Junior place kicker Canon Rooker was named to the 2017 Lou Groza Award watch list, given annually to the best kicker in the country.

The Ray Guy Award honors the nation's top collegiate punter. Bonadies is one of three punters from Conference USA on the 29-player watch list and the second in the state. Also named was Spencer Smith from Memphis. The number of eligible candidates for this season will grow when the award opens nominations in September.

Bonadies had a stellar sophomore campaign for the Blue Raiders. He played in 13 games and had a 38.8-yard average. He proved to be a weapon as 16 of his punts were downed into the opponents' 20. He also had five punts of 50 yards or more, including a long of 59 yards.

"I'm honored to be on the Ray Guy Watch List," Bonadies said in a statement provided by the university. "I've worked hard through the years on my kicking so it's nice to be recognized, but the main thing is having a good season and helping the team."

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MTSU's Canon Rooker (15) makes one of his 11 extra points during the game against FAU, on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016.(Photo: HELEN COMER/DNJ)

Rooker, one of 30 kickers on the preseason list, set the Middle Tennessee record for most points by a kicker in a single season with 112 last season while connecting on 16-of-19 field goal tries. The 16 field goals went down as the fourth-most in school history en route to a first-team All-Conference USA selection.

The junior was a perfect 10-of-10 on field goal tries against league opponents. His long for the season was 46 yards. He was 11-of-13 from 30 yards or more. Rooker also was 64-of-66 on extra-point attempts.

"I am honored to be mentioned along with some of the nation's top kickers," Rooker said in a release by the university. "Competition for the place-kicking position was pretty strong in the preseason, and I believe that helped me. I was pleased that I was able to make some big kicks and help the team. We have put in a hard work in the offseason, and we want to see that carry over into the 2017 season."

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MTSU quarterback Brent Stockstill, left, faces off with Jovan, right, during the yearly tug-a-war match at Camp Ability of Special Kids, on Wednesday June 21, 2017 at North Boulevard, in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
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MTSU football’s Shane Tucker gets a high-five from Abby after rasing her during a clinic at Camp Ability of Special Kids, on Wednesday June 21, 2017 at North Boulevard, in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
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The MTSU football team greets Lukas and other kids from Camp Ability of Special Kids, as they enter the gym at North Boulevard for a clinic on Wednesday June 21, 2017, in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
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The MTSU football team greets Nick and other kids from Camp Ability of Special Kids, as they enter the gym at North Boulevard for a clinic on Wednesday June 21, 2017, in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
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Jack gives MTSU’s head football coach Rick Stockstill a thank you note as Stockstill gives Jack a hug at Camp Ability of Special Kids, before attending the football clinic at teh camp, on Wednesday June 21, 2017, in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
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MTSU’s quarterback Brent Stockstill gets a hug from Joe after the MTSU football team hosted a clinic at Camp Ability of Special Kids, on Wednesday June 21, 2017 at North Boulevard, in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
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MTSU football players (L to R) Vernon Walker (46), Richie James (3), Crews Holt (19), Daniel Sargent (69) and Alex Dale (22) lift up Nick who participated in Camp Ability of Special Kids, on Wednesday June 21, 2017 at North Boulevard, in Murfreesboro, Tenn., after the clinic.
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